Following the sad announcement of the passing of David Lawrence G0RTQ, Anya has advised us that the funeral will take place at Swanwick on May 5th at 10.00am. Due to the current situation neither John nor myself can attend. If there is anybody local who feels they would want to safely attend on a personal basis or to represent the club please let John know.
Cromford Steam Rally GB1CSR
On August 3rd & 4th 2019 the club operated the Special Event Station GB1CSR at Cromford Steam Rally as we have done for many years.
With the high risk of poor weather (as the folk of Whaley Bridge further north in the county struggled) it was only last minute that the event actually happened.
Early on Saturday morning the event team of Ray M0TVX, Mel M0RNU Frank 2E1EVH and XYL Heather and Lyn G0NNU set up the Event Shelter with G5RV HF and Colinear 2M antennas.
This years location adjacent to the main toilet block did not seem ideal although convenient (pun intended). In practice as it was on the main path it received maximum visibility and many existing hams plus some potential members called in .The photos show the great views of the show. Some of the ground at the extremes was muddy but the organisers had made a great job of keeping most of the site in good condition. Plenty of contacts were made from early on using 2m but as usual HF was limited. The weather was glorious and everybody had a great day regardless. Late on the day the new generator failed so Saturday was back to batteries with solar back up. Again a glorious day with the threatened thunder showers being very limited. Lots of early contacts again but as the show got busier interference increased with second hand reports that callers had been unable to make contact even though we were strong outgoing. Again plenty of visitors and a really enjoyable day including several bargain purchases such as large tripods that we now expect to see on field days.
The first batch of photos is from Saturday by Alan M0OLT and the second on Sunday by Frank 2E1EVH.
Visit to Crich Stand
Crich Memorial in a heatwave
On Monday 22nd July fifteen members of the club again had an evening at Crich Stand Memorial to the Sherwood Foresters. Having left Derby at 28 degrees and very humid it was wonderful to set up in really fresh air. At 1000 ft asl the atmosphere is so different. The clear air meant spectacular views across the Peak District and towards Lincoln with Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall visible to the naked eye without even going up the Tower. The binoculars at the tea rooms were popular trying to identify all seven counties that are supposed to be visible. The refreshments at the tea rooms were also welcome. Again magnetic loops and QRP were popular with strong contacts from Norway and Austria on M0RNU Mel’s latest higher power loop. At the end of the evening Chair G7PBV John presented a donation to the Mercian Regimental Charity in recognition of their work and as a thank you for allowing us private out of hours access.
Alan Jones M0OLT
Rally Report
Possibly the best ever J28 Rally.
A number of people have said to me after the rally that it was the best ever. As I have only been going for a few years I cannot comment. It seemed a very happy day for all I spoke to. Financially it raised more than ever but of course with inflation it won’t go as far as perhaps in the early days. The success is down to all who helped before and on the day. Anya for all the initial work. Anya & David called in on the day (looking brighter than last time I saw them). All the club members who helped with the set up. All of the traders who support us (see some comments below). But above all “Thank You” to everybody who turned up and spent their pennies on the bargains. Thanks to you next year is booked.
SUNDAY 14th JUNE 2020 at Alfreton Leisure Centre. Booking forms and details will be available early in the new year.
See you there. Alan Jones Club Secretary
Some email extracts:
We had a great day and as ever a great friendly welcome. See you next year.
Rgs Lee
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J28 is always enjoyable and is a ‘must attend’ for me.
It is also nice to catch up with NBTVers, both ex- and current.
I’m sure I speak for Jeremy too in thanking you for all the hard work that went into organising the event.
See you next year,
Karen
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we had a very enjoyable and profitable day. The stewards were all very friendly, helpful and obliging. One helped us in with our stuff! No complaints at all but hot breakfasts and meals would have sold very well and were sorely missed! Certainly will be with you next year either buying or selling
Peter
( Already replied:-There is a large café on site)
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I would agree a very good day.Sold most of my gear….. I believe Amateur Radio is alive not dead as some say!
All the best, Geoff.
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I’ve not stood at many events but found Snadarc very efficient. What surprised me was an offer of help from one of the crew in shifting stuff to the table. Not needed but very welcome.
Antoni
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Excellent Alan, glad all came well for you. Once again a brilliant, well organised and attended rally, see you next year.
Regards Graham
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Free Draw results:-
Prizes Ticket no
1 261
2 95
3 329
4 346
5 185
6 91
7 78
8 135
9 153
10 286
11 347
Photos :
courtesy of Dave Shaw, Anya Lawrence, Alan Jones.
Glorious Easter at Crich Stand Memorial
Easter 2019 has reached record levels for good weather so our first visit of the year on Saturday April 20th turned out as a glorious day.
Crich Stand Memorial has a tower in memory of those from the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, built in 1851 although records show towers from 1760. It had a light which in 1934 had a range of 38 miles. There is also a Jubilee Beacon from 2002. With other memorials in the grounds and spectacular views of several counties, being 1000 ft asl, it is a popular location. www.crich-memorial.org.uk
The club is very lucky to be allowed access for events with none of the noise levels most of us are now used to.
A dozen members enjoyed the day using half a dozen radios and a selection of antennae from homebuilt Magloop, VHF beam, VHF and HF verticals to an Endfed wire slung along a hedge with spectacular results . HF reached a special event station in Spain and east to Bulgaria whilst VHF reached from Birmingham to Sheffield giving lots of local chats with jealous contacts. The new lightweight generator coped admirably, being quiet and using much less fuel than its predecessor.
73 Alan M0OLT
The Vikings are back
On Saturday 30th March 2019 our QTH The Post Mill Centre hosted a Viking Fest and the club were asked to operate a station which we were pleased to do. Unfortunately we could not contact the long boats before they set sail but welcomed them on the day. With Svartland Viking Workshops, Viking Combat Viking Falconry, Crown a Viking and a Viking Hog Roast made it busy event and a really enjoyable day out.
Mel M0RNU, Barry G4PCL and David 2E0DAO set up outside in a suntrap and were distracted by the aroma of the hog roast. They were joined during the day by Alan M0OLT, Dennis M0DEN and Nigel G6MRN.
The HF bands were totally swamped by an International competition but several QSO were made on 2m including some long interesting chats.
The next club event will be a day out at Crich Stand on Saturday 20th April.

Junction 28 Rally June 9th
JUNCTION 28 Radio Rally 2019
Sunday June 9th
Admission £3.00 Open 10.15 am
Alfreton Leisure Centre Bowls Hall
Church St , South Normanton
Alfreton DE55 7BD
10 minutes from M1 Junction 28
(NB this is not club QTH)
New and used rigs, antennae, accessories,
components, books & magazines
Trade & private sales
RSGB, national & local club stands
Over 100 tables all indoors
Licenced Bar, Snacks and Café on site
Promoted by South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio Club
Enquiries to Alan Jones snadarcsec@gmail.com 01332679913
Directions:-
From North , South or East at M1 Jct 28
Take A38 West to 3rd exit A61 Alfreton
Pass Tesco, at War Memorial turn left.
From West Midlands follow A38 to A61
Turn left to Alfreton then left at War Memorial.
Chesterfield and Yorkshire follow A61 to Alfreton
Turn right at War Memorial.
New Temp secretary
all Rally info please contact Alan Jones snadarcsec@gmail.com 01332679913